Bedard: Steelers kept gift-wrapping this game but these Patriots couldn’t even get that right

PITTSBURGH — In a season full of disappointments for these Patriots, this had to be the most disheartening aspect of Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Steelers:

Pittsburgh tried time and time again to hand the Patriots this one — seven times, by my count — just like they have countless other times during Tom Brady's run of dominance against Western Pennsylvania's favored sons (11-2 with five-straight wins).

Only this time, this group of Patriots was unable to accept the many gifts bestowed upon them.

Actually, after 14 games, incapable might be the operative word. It's not like the Steelers kept the Patriots from cashing in — the Sons of Belichick did it all to themselves.